Imagine being labeled 'contagious' and denied something as simple as a haircut, all because of a skin condition you can't control. This is the reality Daphne Loo faced, and her story is a powerful testament to overcoming stigma and embracing your unique self. She's not just surviving; she's thriving as a powerlifter, shattering stereotypes and inspiring countless others. But here's where it gets controversial: Why are people still so quick to judge based on appearance when we know better?
Daphne Loo, a 42-year-old Singapore permanent resident living with vitiligo – an autoimmune disorder causing loss of skin pigmentation – experienced this firsthand. About six or seven years ago, she walked into a hair salon hoping for a trim, an everyday experience for most. What unfolded was anything but ordinary.
As Loo recounted to CNA Women, the hairstylist's reaction upon noticing the white patches on her face and body was immediate and jarring. "Is it safe for us to touch you?" the stylist asked, revealing a deep-seated misunderstanding about vitiligo. Loo patiently explained that vitiligo is not contagious. But the stylist, seemingly unconvinced, made a point of donning gloves, creating a barrier against any potential contact.
And this is the part most people miss: it wasn't just the vitiligo. The situation escalated when the stylist spotted whitish and reddish patches, along with some flaking, on Loo's scalp, signs of scalp psoriasis, another non-contagious, chronic inflammatory skin condition. (You can learn more about generalized pustular psoriasis, another rare autoimmune skin disease, here: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/women/generalised-pustular-psoriasis-autoimmune-disorder-rare-skin-disease-368596). The hairstylist recoiled visibly. "You have a skin disease. I am not willing to cut your hair," she declared.
This painful encounter was just one instance in a lifetime of blatant stares, whispered comments, and unsolicited advice stemming from her skin condition. While Loo had faced similar situations before, this particular incident cut deep. She felt deeply hurt and insulted, a stark reminder of the ignorance and prejudice surrounding visible differences.
But here's the incredible twist: Instead of succumbing to negativity, Loo transformed her perceived difference into a strength. Looking different gave her the courage to defy expectations. In 2014, she ventured into the male-dominated world of powerlifting, a sport where women were often discouraged from participating due to the perceived unattractiveness of muscular physiques.
Over the years, Loo's dedication and talent have earned her numerous medals, effectively paving the way for a new generation of female powerlifting athletes. She's become a role model, proving that strength comes in many forms.
"Vitiligo allowed me to not care what other people thought," Loo explained. It was a catalyst, freeing her from the constraints of societal expectations and allowing her to pursue her passions fearlessly.
Loo's journey with vitiligo began in 2008, when the first white patches appeared on the back of her neck. Friends noticed them and took pictures to show her, prompting concern. She shared the images with her sister, a doctor, who suspected vitiligo. Initially, Loo struggled to accept the diagnosis, choosing to hide the patch under her hair.
However, within a few months, the patches spread to her eye and lip area, making it impossible to ignore. Loo finally consulted a dermatologist, who confirmed the diagnosis.
The dermatologist prescribed topical creams to slow the spread of depigmentation and advised her to manage stress and diligently use sunscreen (find out more about sunscreen and its benefits here: http://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/style-beauty/new-sunscreen-skincare-benefits-465186) to protect the depigmented patches, which are more susceptible to sun damage.
Despite these efforts, the white patches continued to spread, appearing on her limbs within months. Seeking further treatment, Loo began phototherapy in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where her treatment was heavily subsidized as a Malaysian citizen.
However, the demanding schedule of her public relations job in Singapore made the twice- or thrice-weekly cross-border commutes unsustainable. After a couple of months, she had to discontinue the treatment.
"Ultimately, vitiligo is skin-deep for most people. In my case, it was a discoloration," Loo said, emphasizing that it wasn't itchy or painful. While some vitiligo patients do experience itching, tingling, or a mild burning sensation, especially when the condition is actively spreading, Loo's experience was primarily cosmetic.
"So when it became apparent that it wasn't going to go away, I think I accepted it," Loo said, marking 2010, when she was 27 years old, as the turning point in her acceptance journey.
To better understand vitiligo, here are some insights from Professor Steven Thng Tien Guan, deputy director of the National Skin Centre (NSC):
- Cause: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease where the body's white blood cells mistakenly attack and destroy melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. This leads to the formation of white patches. Genetic predisposition can play a role, and triggers like skin injury, stress, and sunburn can also contribute.
- Prevalence: In Asia, approximately seven out of every 1,000 people are affected by vitiligo.
- Treatment: With appropriate treatment, 70 to 80 percent of patients can experience some degree of skin color restoration.
Treatment options include oral and topical medications designed to suppress the immune system, prevent the spread of white patches, and reduce inflammation to promote repigmentation.
Excitingly, a new topical ruxolitinib cream that supports repigmentation is currently pending full regulatory approvals in Singapore. It has already been approved for use in the United States, Europe, and Hong Kong.
The NSC is conducting a real-world study in Singapore, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, to assess the safety and efficacy of ruxolitinib cream specifically for the Asian population. Vitiligo patients interested in participating in this NSC study can access the cream through a special access route by contacting the NSC directly or obtaining a referral from a polyclinic or CHAS GP. Suitability will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Other treatment modalities include phototherapy, which involves exposing depigmented skin to controlled doses of ultraviolet light to stimulate pigment production, and grafting, a minor day surgery where healthy pigment cells are transplanted from the patient's own skin to affected areas to restore pigmentation.
Despite accepting her condition, Loo still faced daily challenges. "Although I accepted that there's nothing much that I can do about it, having people point it out and constantly give me unsolicited advice still bothered me," she confessed.
Strangers stared, children whispered to their parents, and well-meaning individuals offered dietary advice, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting any dietary cures for vitiligo.
Even at pharmacies, salespersons would aggressively promote suncare and brightening products as supposed miracle cures, adding to her stress. "It got to the point where every time I walk into a pharmacy, I would feel so stressed," Loo revealed.
To avoid unwanted attention, Loo initially tried to conceal her white patches with makeup.
In her late 20s, she also struggled with body image issues and a lack of confidence. After seeing some photos of herself, she felt "fat and ugly." At 1.55m tall, she weighed 70kg at the time.
Driven by insecurity, she embarked on an extreme diet and exercise regimen, losing 19kg in just 11 months. However, the intensity of her efforts led to negative consequences, including hair loss and the cessation of her menstrual cycle.
This served as a wake-up call. Realizing the unhealthy nature of her weight obsession, Loo heeded a friend's advice in 2012 and began weightlifting as a healthier way to build muscle and improve her overall well-being.
To her surprise, she excelled at it. "It became addictive. I wanted to push my own limits and find out how much stronger I could get," she said with a laugh.
Training three to four times a week for two hours each session, Loo indeed became stronger. Two years later, she entered the Singapore Powerlifting Open 2014 and won her first gold medal in the women's category.
At that time, powerlifting was a sport dominated by men, with few women participating, although the number of female athletes has grown significantly in recent years. Loo recalls that there were only a handful of women competing in that particular competition.
Looking back, Loo believes that her journey with vitiligo played a crucial role in her decision to pursue this unconventional path. "I think I'd have been a lot vainer and want to be seen as more feminine," she admitted, suggesting that she might have conformed to traditional beauty standards if not for her skin condition.
Powerlifting not only transformed her body but also reshaped her career trajectory. In 2014, Loo left her public relations job, took a two-year career break, and then transitioned into the fitness industry as a coach in 2016.
Over the next decade, she participated in numerous competitions both in Singapore and overseas, winning an estimated 15 to 20 gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Her most recent competition was the Hygieia Masters Powerlifting Meet 2023, a competition for athletes aged 40 and above, which she entered when she turned 40. She secured first place in the Women Raw 69 Master 1 category for female athletes weighing up to 69kg and between the ages of 40 and 49.
Her achievements at the competition included a 115kg squat (squatting with a loaded barbell on the back), a 60kg bench press (lowering and pushing a barbell off the chest while lying on a bench), and a 132.5kg deadlift (lifting a barbell from the ground).
Beyond personal achievements, Loo is passionate about strengthening her community.
Powerlifting empowered Loo to become more confident and comfortable in her own skin. She no longer feels the need to conceal her vitiligo with makeup before going to work at her gym.
By sharing her story, she hopes to raise awareness about vitiligo and provide support to others living with the condition. She emphasizes that vitiligo is not contagious and urges the public to avoid shunning those who have it.
She also highlights the significant impact that even seemingly harmless stares can have on individuals with vitiligo. "Even if these are not malicious, they may make the person feel self-conscious or feel like they should not appear in public or that they should do more to cover up their vitiligo," she explained.
Having personally struggled with self-image for many years, Loo is dedicated to helping others, not just vitiligo patients, find confidence. In January, Loo and her husband acquired Stoic Strength, a strength-training gym. She now runs the gym independently as the head coach.
"For a lot of women, the ideal beauty standard is being slim or skinny like a K-pop star. But I think the mindset is slowly shifting," she observed.
"Nowadays, a lot of women are okay with having muscle definition and biceps. I would like to help more women who feel boxed in by societal expectations to see that there are different ways to feel confident," she said, advocating for a more inclusive and diverse definition of beauty.
"A lot of people find that their confidence level increases when they know that they are stronger," she said. "I want to help people get stronger and feel more confident."
Loo finds empowerment in having a clear vision for her life and work.
"This is the first year in a long time where I feel like there are a lot of things that I'm excited about. I don't dread going to work. I am happy with the life I built. And I wouldn't want it any other way."
CNA Women (https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/women) is a section on CNA Lifestyle that aims to inform, empower, and inspire the modern woman. For women-related news, issues, and ideas, you can contact them at CNAWomen [at] mediacorp.com.sg.
So, what do you think about Daphne's story? Does it challenge your own perceptions of beauty and strength? Have you ever witnessed or experienced similar instances of prejudice based on appearance? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let's start a conversation about acceptance, empowerment, and breaking down societal barriers! Is our society truly becoming more accepting of differences, or do we still have a long way to go?
